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UNITED STATE 'FFICE.

PATENT LOOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,845, dated January 8, 1901.

Application filed' April 6, 1900.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE W. WYMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Worcester, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Looms,of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to that class of looms wherein fillingchanging mechanism is employed to effect a supply of fresh filling without stopping the loom when that in an active shuttle has become practially exhausted, and more particularly to such type of loom employing shifting or changing shuttle-boxes.

In adapting a filling-changing mechanism to a shifting or changing sh uttle-box loom or one using diflerent characters or colors of filling I have found it desirable to locate the fillingchanging mechanism at one side of the loom and the feeler mechanism,which feels for and detects the condition of practical exhaustion of the filling at the opposite side thereof, in order to obviate the sudden and quick action of the former that would otherwise be necessary, and in the practical embodiment of my invention as hereinafter, disclosed I have selected that type of loom having a single shuttle-box at one side and a plurality of changing or shifting boxes at the other side thereof. In the equipment of such type of loom with feeler and filling-changing mechanisms Ihave found it also desirable to locate the latter mechanism on the side of the loom adjacent the fixed shuttle-box and the former or feeler mechanism on the side of the loom adjacent the changing or shifting shuttle-boxes, and in this disposition of parts have. devised means whereby as the shifting shuttle-boxes move up and down in answer to the call of the pattern being woven the feeler devices will maintain proper relation thereto and feel for and detect or indicate the practical exhaustion of filling in the shuttles, and should such detection or indication occur when a shuttle is in position to be picked into the box on the filling-changing side of the loom devices will be set in action to effect a change of filling when the practically-exhausted shuttle has reached said box; but should such indication Serial No. 11,886. (No model.)

or detection occur when the practically-exhausted shuttle is not in position to be picked into the box on the filling-changing side of the loom then said devices will not be set in action, all as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a loom, showing two shifting or movable shuttle-boxes arranged to operate with two differing characters or colors of filling and having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the shifting shuttlebox end of the loom and showing the feelers and their coacting connections. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same end of the loom as in Fig. 2, showing a shuttle in place. Fig. 4 is a front view of the loom, parts being broken away and omitted in order to show the general arrangement of the feeler and filling-changing mechanisms at the opposite sides of the loom. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation in detail of the feeler and its wire coil, and Fig. 6 is a view of a modified form of feeler.

The loom-frame A, crank-shaft A, camshaft B, the gears B B connecting the crank and cam shafts, the main shuttle-box lever C, pivoted at C and carrying at one end the connecting-rod 0 connected to the shuttlebox rod G at its lower end, the mutilated gear D on the cam-shaft, the mutilated gear D, having the movable teeth by which it is thrown into and out of operative connection with the gear D through the arm D stud D connecting-rod D rock-shaft D connection D with the pattern mechanism D", of any approved or desired form, mounted on the bracket D secured to the loom-frame, the spring E and link F, connected to one end of the shuttle-box lever and by which it is operated from the mutilated gear D to raise and lower the shuttle-boxes according to the desired pattern, are and may be all as heretofore constructed, and being Well understood by those skilled in the art need not be further described.

Mounted on the loom-frame at the end thereof adjacent the single shuttle-box a is any usual form or construction of filling feeder or hopper H, carrying a series of filling-carriers a, arranged in groups, each groupcontaining filling-carriers having differing filling, corresponding with the fillings used in the series of shuttles of the shifting shuttle-boxes, and the feeder or hopper is moved positively and in unison with each change of position of the shuttle-boxes to thus place and keep opposite the tranferrer a a filling-carrier having a filling corresponding in character or color with the filling in the then active shuttle.

In case of failure of filling in the shuttle, so that a filling-carrier has to be put into the shuttle, the feeder or hopper after the change of filling-carrier has been effected is given automatically a movement sufficient to bring into position a new group of filling-carriers, so as to place opposite the transferrer a filling-carrier in the new group, which contains a filling corresponding with the filling just removed from the feeder or hopper and put into the shuttle. The filling feeder or hopper has thus imparted to it diflerential movements and is oscillated and rotated in unison with the movements of the shifting shuttle boxes as necessity requires to always maintain a proper character or color of filling in position to be transferred to its proper shuttle, all as fully set forth in Letters Patent No. 600,053, to which reference may be had. Such mechanism is not shown and described in detail herein, as it forms no part of my present invention, and is omitted to prevent unnecessary complication in the drawings and to facilitate an understanding of the parts to which my invention more particularly relates.

Suitably pivoted to the breast-beam at a is a transferrer a having its end a disposed in relation to the filling-carriers ct as shown by Patent No. 600,052 referred to, a spring a normally holding the end of the transferrer above the lower filling-carriers. Fixedlyconnected to the transferrer at its pivotal connection a with the breast-beam is an arm a having pivoted to its lower end a dagger a which rests upon the end of a lifter 0L secured to the shaft d, running lengthwise of the breast-beam. From this construction it will be evident that should the lifter a be raised by the turning of shaft CZ in the direction of the arrow it will raise the dagger a and will place its end in the path of a hunter a secured to a moving part of the loom-as, for instance, the lay-which as the lay moves forward will turn the transferrer to depress its free end to effect a change of filling. Suchchange of filling takes place at the single-box end of the lay,as I have hereinbefore indicated and as shown by Fig. 4, while on the opposite end of the lay are mounted the shifting shuttle-boxes S, which may be of any desired construction and have provisions for the entrance thereinto of the feelers, as will hereinafter appear. While I have shown two shifting shuttle-boxes and a form of pattern mechanism or shuttle-box motion for moving them up and down on the lay by means of the shuttle-box rod C as required by the pattern, it is to be understood that any desired number of such boxes and any preferred mechanism for operating them may be employed. I

Secured to the rod 61 is an arm d, hearing at its upper end against the forward end of a slide e, which at its other end has pivoted thereto at e an actuator e the forward end of which has a downturned hook 6 adapted to be engaged when depressed with the upper end f of a hammer f, pivoted at f to a bracket f and having a pin or roller f traveling on the surface of a cam K, secured to the cam-shaft. The end of the actuator on the side of the pivot e opposite the hook e is provided with a weight a, which normally tends to hold the hooked end a of the actuator out of the path of movement of the end f of the vibrating hammer f. Should the end e of the actuator be forced into engagement with the end f of the hammer, the latter will move the actuator and its connected slide forward to thereby move the arm d and turn the shaft d to lift the dagger a into the path of the hunter a and cause the filling-changing mechanism to operate, as will be obvious.

In order to depress the hooked end e of the actuator into the path of the vibrating hammer, I provide on the breast-beam adjacent the slide 6 a bracketc' and pivot thereon a depressor, preferably comprising a bellcrank lever one arm 91 of which projects over the hooked end of the actuator and which when free to move will under the action of gravity depress the end a of the actuator to enable the vibrating hammer/to engage and move the same, as above pointed out. To the other arm 1' of the depressor I connect a detector or rod m, adapted to have longitudinal movement in suitable guides m m, secured to the loom-frame, and which when free to move, as thus explained, will slide to the left in Fig. 2 under the influence of the weighted arm t" of the actuator, as will be evident from Fig. '2.

The feelers, which feel for and detect practical exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle, preferably consist of normally-balanced magnetized bodies or pins which on each forward movement of the lay enter the shuttles and feel for the filling, and when one of said feelers detects an absence of filling to a predetermined amount it contacts with a band or other magnetic body connected with the filling-carrier, and the feeler is drawn or moved from its normal into its abnormal position as the lay moves back, due to the clinging of the magnetized feeler to the magnetic band or body on the filling-carrier. This movement of a feeler from its normal to its abnormal position, as hereinafter more fully appears, will free the end of the detector or rod m and permit the same to move endwise under the weight of the arm 2" of the depressor to thereby cause a change of filling when the indicating-shuttle has reached the single box adjacent the filling-changing mechanism.

The shifting shuttle-boxes under the call of the pattern usually move up and down between the picks, and as at the forward position of the lay at the moment of beat-up the rising or falling movement of the shifting shuttle-boxes is taking place it is impractical to have a single relatively stationary feeler for the entire set of shifting shuttle-boxes, for the reason that uncertainty of detecting action would occur, owing to the varying position of the boxes at the moment of beat-up and there will be liability of breakage of parts. I have therefore provided a separate feeler for each shifting'box and move said feelers in unison with the shifting shuttleboxes in a manner such that each feeler will continue to enter its opposing box to feel for and indicate the condition of the filling, as will now be described.

Movable in suitable guides g g, connected to the bracket M, secured to the shiftingshuttle-box side of theloom-frame, is a feelercarrying frame G, mounted on the upper end of a rod G, which is connected at its lower end to the shifting-shuttle-box rod 0 so as to rise and fall therewith, and such bracket or feeler-carrying frame G has secured thereto a series of feelers 1), arranged one opposite each of the shifting shuttleboxes, there being as many feelers b as there are shifting shuttle-boxes. Each feeler preferably consists of a balanced magnetic body or pin free to have longitudinal movement in a suitable support, and in the form of such parts as herein represented the body or pin consists of a piece of soft iron loosely supported in the center of a coil of wire I), through which an electric current is adapted to pass by means of the wires 1 and 2, leading to the opposite poles of any suitable source of electric energy, forming thereby in effect a solenoid. Thus during the passage of an electric current through the wire coil the feeler b will be held in the center of the coil in a balanced condition-that is, while the feeler will be free to yield longitudinally under a disturbing force it will be normally held, as the core of a solenoid, with its ends projecting beyond the ends of the wire coil, and will be in eifect a magnet. The end b of the feeler is preferably enlarged, as shown in Fig. 5, to prevent the same from being drawn entirely from the wire coil.

Each shuttle S supports a filling-carrier 0 having a metal or other band 0 normally co vered by the filling of the filled carrier; but when the said filling is exhausted to a predetermined amount, usually sufficient to make one, two, or more picks,.such band is exposed. In the side of each shuttle adjacent the band 0 on the carrier is formed a hole 0, and in line therewith when the shuttle is properly boxed is a corresponding hole 0, formed in the wall a of each shuttle-box, such wall being in the present embodiment of my invention represented as the shuttle-binder, although it is evident, of course, that it may be a fixed wall, if desired. When the shuttles are properly boxed in the shifting shuttle-boxes, the holes 0 and c and the band 0 on the shuttle will coincide in alinement, and they are so disposed with relation to the filling-feelers b, which, as before described, move up and down with the shifting shuttle-boxes, that on each forward beat of the lay the feelers will enter said holes and feel for the filling on the carrier. In casethere is a full supply of filling in each shuttle the feelers will simply be moved lengthwise in their yielding supports as the lay heats up; but should the filling be practically exhausted in any shuttle then the feeler that enters the same will contact with the band 0 on the carrier, and as the lay starts on its backward stroke the clinging action of the feeler on the band 0 due to the magnetic attraction between the two, will move the feeler, with the lay, a short distance, and if such feeler is at the time in line with the detector'm, the end of which rests against the end of the feeler,the said detector m will be left free to move lengthwise under the weight of the arm t" of the depressor to allow the same to fall anddepress the hooked end of the actuator e in position to be engaged by the vibrating hammer f, which will thereby lift the dagger a into position to be engaged by the hunter a on the next forward movement of the lay to effect a change of filling, as already described, the practically-exhausted shuttle in the meantime having been picked from the shifting shuttle-boxes into the single box at the filling-changing end of the lay. Should a feeler 1) indicate a practical exhaustion of filling when the shuttle-box with which it coacts is not in position to have its shuttle picked to the single box on the opposite end of the lay, the said feeler will not be on the line of the detector m, and therefore will not indicate for a change of filling.

From the description thus far set forth it will be seen that the end of the detector m is in abutting contact with whichever feeler happens at the time to be in line therewith, and if at such time the said feeler should indicate a practical exhaustion of filling in its coacting shuttle then such feeler will be moved by the backward stroke of the lay to free the end of the detector m and permit the depressor to lower the hooked end of the actuator e and cause a change of filling. the boxes rise and fall between the strokes of the lay it is evidentthat there are times when none of the feelers is in line with the end of the detector m and that at such times provisions are made to prevent the arm t" of the depressor from falling upon and depressing the actuator 6 and these I will now proceed to describe.

Mounted upon the cam-shaft B is a cam K, in the cam-groove of which travels a roller 10, secured to one end of a lever K pivoted at to a bracket 103 and carrying at its opposite end a depressor-controller 10 in the form of a vertical rod, which passes through a guide 70 secured to the breast-beam. The

, upper end of the depressor-controller k is psitioned with respect to the arm t" of the depressor so that on the upward movement of said controller under the action of the cam K the end of the controller will contact with and raise or support the said arm t" out of contact with the hooked end of the actuator 6 The timing of the cam K is such that as the shifting shuttle-boxes, and consequently the feelers, rise and fall between the picks, and are not therefore in position to prevent endwise movement of the detector m, the depressorcontroller k will be raised to support the arm '11 of the depressor out of contact with the hooked end of the actuator; but as the shifting shuttle-boxes stop with a shuttle on the line of the race, and consequently its coacting feeler in position to be engaged by the end of the detector m, the depressor-controller is lowered to permit the detector m to contact with the said feeler, and in case a practical exhaustion of filling is indicated at this time the parts will operate, as already described, to supply fresh filling.

The slide 6 may, if desired, be provided with a spring e to normally force it toward the lay, and while I have shown this form of device for actuating or moving the arm 0?, and consequently the shaft d, it is evident the mechanism could be varied within wide limits, its purpose being simply to transmit the movement given the actuator by the hammer to turn the shaft d.

While I have shown my invention in connection with the particular form of detectors m for controlling the actuation of the fillingchanging mechanism from the feelers, it is to be understood that I do not regard my inventionas limited thereto, as many forms of such devices might be used or the mechanicaldevices might be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention as disclosed in the particular embodiment thereof above described, nor do I regard myself as limited in the number of shifting shuttleboxes or the means for raising and lowering the same or to the character of filling-changing mechanism employed. For instance, if desired, instead of changing the filling-carrier in the shuttle on practical exhaustion thereof I may, if desired, change the shuttles; but such mechanisms being well understood it is unnecessary to describe or show them more fully. It will also be understood that instead of forming the feelers b as the cores of solenoids I .may use instead thereof a permanent magnet 19?, held in yielding position by a spring b as shown, "for instance in Fig. 6.

While I have not disclosed in the drawings any means for stopping the loom upon the breaking of the filling, it is obvious that such means of any usual or preferred construction might be employed in connection with the present invention if desired, and being well understood need not be shown or described herein.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a loom the following instrumentalities, namely, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, movable feeler devices for said boxes to feel for the filling in the shuttles and detect the practical exhaustion of filling, and means under control of the feeler devices for rendering the fillingchanging mechanism operative to effect a change of filling.

2. In a loom, thefollowing instrumentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shiftingshuttle-boxes,feeler devices separate from but movable in unison with said shifting shuttle-boxes, and means under control of said feeler devices for rendering the fillingchanging mechanism operative to eifect a change of filling.

3. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, viz: afilling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, a series of feelers separate therefrom and movable up and down, one for each shifting shuttle-box, and means under control of the feelers for rendering the fillingchanging mechanism operative to eifect a change of filling when that in an active shuttle has become practically exhausted.

4:. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, a series of feelers, one for each shifting shuttle-box, said feelers being separate from but movable up and down in unison with said shifting shuttle-boxes, and means under the control of the feelers for rendering the filling-changing mechanism op erative to effect a change of filling.

5. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, a magnetized feeler separate from the boxes to feel for and detect a practical exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle, and means under control of the said feeler for causing the operation of the filling-changing mechanism when the filling in an active shuttle has become practically exhausted.

6. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, a magnetized feeler separate from the boxes and movable in unison with the shifting shuttle-boxes, and devices under control of the feeler to render the filling-changing mechanism operative on a practical exhaustion of the filling in an active shuttle.

7. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, Viz: a lay, a single shuttle-box at one end thereof, shifting shuttle-boxes at the 0pposite end, a filling-changing mechanism adjacent the single shuttle-box, filling-feelers separate from and adjacent the shifting shuttle-boxes controlling the actuation of the filling-changing mechanism.

8. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, a series of magnetized feelers, one for each shifting shuttle-box, and devices under control of the feelers for rendering the filling-changing mechanism operative on a practical exhaustion of the filling in an active shuttle.

9. In a loom, the following instrumentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting sh little-boxes, a series of magnetized feelers, one for each shifting shuttle-box, connections between the feelers and said shifting shuttle-boxes whereby they are moved in unison, and devices under control of the feelers for rendering the filling-changing mechanism operative on a practical exhaustion of the filling in an active shuttle.

10. In a loom, the following instru mentalities, viz: a filling-changing mechanism, shifting shuttle-boxes, feelers arranged one for each shifting shuttle-box, a detector under control of the feelers, means for causing the filling-changing mechanism to operate to effect a change of filling and devices interposed between the said means and the detector for controlling the operation of the filling-changing mechanism.

11. The combination of the lay, shifting shuttle-boxes carried thereby, a series of feelers independent of and one for each of the shifting shuttle-boxes, and movable therewith, a filling-changing mechanism and actuating means therefor, and devices interposed between the feelers and said actuating means to control the operative condition of said means.

12. The combination of the lay, shifting shuttle-boxes carried thereby, a series of feelers one for each of the shifting shuttle-boxes and movable therewith, a filling-changing mechanism and means for operating the same including an actuator, a detector under control of the feeler of the active shuttle and means connected to said detector for determining the operative position of the actuator.

13. The combination of the lay, shifting shuttle-boxes carried thereby, a series of feelers separate from but movable in unison with said shifting shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, and operative means therefor including an actuator, a depressor for placing the actuator in operative position, and a depressor-controller to support said depressor and prevent its operation on the actuator.

14. The combination of the lay, a series of shifting shuttle-boxes carried thereby, a corresponding series of feelers independent of and movable in unison with the shifting shuttle'- boxes, a detector cooperating with the feeler of the active shuttle of the series, a filling-changing mechanism, and devices under control of the detector for operating the filling-changing mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HORACE W. WYMAN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE S. TAFT, MARION E. AYRES. 

